State lawmakers don't need raises

New York state faces a budget gap of $1 billion and the New York legislators want a pay raise. Legislators earn a base pay of $79,000 a year for a part-time job. They also receive $165 a day for food and lodging. These per diem monies could easily run another $10,000 to $16,000 per year. Let's not forget medical and pension benefits. What about the additional money added for committee work?

At a time when the unemployment rate in New York state is 9.1 percent and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, these legislators should be grateful to the hard-pressed taxpayers of New York state for allowing them to make all this money in these trying times. Also, let us not forget the generous perks that a lot of them abuse. In other states, legislators make a third to a half of what these New York state legislators make.

If they do not like the salary, let them quit and try to get work in the private sector. Enough is enough!

Out-of-control expenses are pushing upstate cities to contemplate bankruptcy, and these people want a pay raise!

Frank Ray

Wesley Hills

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State lawmakers don't need raises

New York state faces a budget gap of $1 billion and the New York legislators want a pay raise. Legislators earn a base pay of $79,000 a year for a part-time job. They also receive $165 a day for food

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